A Christian's Duty

Before this Administration came along, it was hard to imagine that
something as intensely personal and private as a man's prayer before
going into battle could be appropriated in a business-like fashion.
Now, according to "A Christian's Duty in Time of War" -- a pamphlet
given out to thousands of Marines in Iraq -- our soldiers in the war
zone are supposed to fill out a form pledging to pray every day for
George Bush. The pamphlet has a tear-out section which the soldier is
to sign and mail to the president: "I have committed to pray for you,
your family, your staff ..." The pamphlets were created by In Touch
Ministries, an evangelical group that says "We may not all be in the
military, but we are all engaged in warfare ... spiritual warfare."

Today's prayer: "Pray that the President and his advisers will be
strong and courageous to do what is right regardless of critics."
(Translation: Pray that, even if all agree this war is a horrific
catastrophe, even if Congress leaps to its feet in anger and despair,
even if millions of Americans pour into the streets begging to bring
you home -- even then, pray that the president will wave aside his
critics and order you forward.) Wednesday's: "Pray that the President
and his advisers will be safe, healthy, well-rested and free from
fear." (Well-rested?) Friday's prayer cuts to the chase: "Pray that
the President and his advisers will recognize their divine
appointment ..." It includes some helpfully illuminatingscripture,
Romans 13:1: "Every person is to be in subjugation to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
which exist are established by God."